A Message from the Leadership at Penn State

[NOTE: I attended Penn State University and proudly earned my Master of Science in 2008, before the Sandusky/Paterno incident occurred. I was not on campus at the time these events were revealed. I abhore the actions of a small group of elitists over vulnerable children. I do not deserve the mockery, the heinous comments, and the outright unsolicited disrespect, somehow equating me to paedophiles simply because I wear a Penn State shirt or have decals on my vehicle celebrating my achievement. Most of the time I have to muster the strength to not say anything, but admittingly, it’d feel better if I could just pound those constant, ignorant bastards into the ground!

This letter is from the University President sent to all students and alumni on September 5, 2014. I’ve copied and pasted it here plus highlighted the particular statements which struck my sentiments exactly. This isn’t just an examination of the lack of civility towards Penn State; rather, I read this as an observation of the state of modern American society, and the depths we now go to make our ability to function as a community impossible.]

 

 

A Message from the Leadership at Penn State

September 5, 2014

Dear friends:

For decades, few universities could match the considerate manner in which Penn Staters treated both friend and opponent. In particular, to see someone wearing a Penn State T-shirt while traveling was a guarantee of a common bond and warm conversation no matter how distant the location. Today, that rather remarkable bond is under stress.

Unfortunately, there are many examples in every university where differences of opinion lead to incivility. For Penn State, one issue is of particular concern. There are honest disagreements on fundamental issues related to whether our institution acted appropriately, how our institution handled a crisis, and whether the sanctions that resulted are appropriate. Reasonable people can be found on all sides of these issues. The reasons for this disagreement are clear. Much is still left to interpretation and the issues have considerable emotional significance to us all. We are likely never to have the full story. We are equally likely never to reach consensus.

The question is whether a lack of civility in discussing these issues will create a deeper divide, one that alters the remarkable bond that exists between all those who are a part of the Penn State community. Consider just a few examples that you may have also come across – the alumnus who says he lost his best friend over his opinion of the Freeh report; the alumni trustee candidate that faced dozens of unkind comments; the long time donor of time and treasure who no longer feels welcome.

Debate and disagreement are critical constructs in the role of universities in testing ideas and promoting progress on complex issues. But, the leaders of your University at every level, from the administration, faculty, staff and students, are unanimous in deploring the erosion of civility associated with our discourse. Reasonable people disagree, but we can disagree without sacrificing respect. The First Amendment guarantees our right to speak as we wish, but we are stronger if we can argue and debate without degrading others.

Today, civility is an issue that arises in many areas of campus debate. Some may argue that the lack of civility is a national issue, promoted by a growing community involved in posting anonymous comments on blogs or by acrimonious national politics. We cannot afford to follow their lead, not if we are to serve our students as role models, not if we expect to continue to attract the outstanding volunteers who serve our University in so many ways, and not if we wish to have Penn Staters take our University to new levels of excellence.

Respect is a core value at Penn State University. We ask you to consciously choose civility and to support those whose words and actions serve to promote respectful disagreement and thereby strengthen our community.

Signed,

Members of the President’s Council (unanimous)

Eric J. Barron, President Janine S. Andrews, Director, Office of the Board of Trustees and Associate Secretary Anne (Sandy) Barbour, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan M. Basso, Vice President for Human Resources Blannie E. Bowen, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Michael J. DiRaimo, Special Assistant to the President for Governmental Affairs Stephen S. Dunham, Vice President and General Counsel David J. Gray, Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer Madlyn L. Hanes, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses Craig Hillemeier, Chief Executive Officer, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Senior Vice President for Health Affairs; Dean, Penn State College of Medicine

Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost of the University Rodney P. Kirsch, Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Robert N. Pangborn, Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education Thomas G. Poole, Vice President for Administration/Secretary Neil A. Sharkey, Interim Vice President for Research Damon Sims, Vice President for Student Affairs Craig D. Weidemann, Vice President for Outreach and Vice Provost for Online Education Marcus A. Whitehurst, Interim Vice Provost for Educational Equity

Members of the Academic Leadership Council (unanimous)

Francis K. Achampong, Chancellor, Penn State Mont Alto Michael A. Adewumi, Vice Provost for Global Programs Kelly M. Austin, Chancellor, Penn State Schuylkill Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, Chancellor and Dean, Penn State Altoona Donald L. Birx, Chancellor, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College Blannie E. Bowen, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Christian M. M. Brady, Dean, Schreyer Honors College David W. Chown, Chancellor, Penn State York Barbara J. Christ, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences Ann (Nan) C. Crouter, Dean, College of Health and Human Development Charles H. Davis, Chancellor, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Barbara I. Dewey, Dean, University Libraries and Scholarly Communications William E. Easterling III, Dean, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Craig S. Edelbrock, Chancellor, Penn State Great Valley Amr S. Elnashai, Dean, College of Engineering Gary S. Gildin, Interim Dean, Penn State Law in Carlisle Davie Jane Gilmour, President, Pennsylvania College of Technology Madlyn L. Hanes, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses Marie Hardin, Dean, College of Communications Melanie L. Hatch, Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Penn State DuBois Nancy L. Herron, Interim Chancellor, Penn State Greater Allegheny A. Craig Hillemeier, Chief Executive Officer, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Senior Vice President for Health Affairs; Dean, Penn State College of Medicine R. Keith Hillkirk, Chancellor, Penn State Berks James W. Houck, Interim Dean, Penn State Law at University Park Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost of the University

Barbara O. Korner, Dean, College of Arts and Architecture Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen, Chancellor, Penn State Worthington Scranton Donna J. Kuga, Interim Chancellor, Penn State Beaver Jonna M. Kulikowich, Chair, University Faculty Senate Mukund S. Kulkarni, Chancellor, Penn State Harrisburg Daniel J. Larson, Dean, Eberly College of Science Gary M. Lawler, Chancellor, Penn State Hazleton Kenneth F. Lehrman III, Vice Provost for Affirmative Action Paula Milone-Nuzzo, Dean, College of Nursing David H. Monk, Dean, College of Education Kevin M. Morooney, Vice Provost for Information Technology Robert N. Pangborn, Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education W. Charles Patrick, Chancellor/Chief Academic Officer, Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus Mary Beth Rosson, Interim Dean, College of Information Sciences and Technology Karen Wiley Sandler, Chancellor, Penn State Abington Neil A. Sharkey, Interim Vice President for Research Damon Sims, Vice President for Student Affairs Kevin J. G. Snider, Chancellor, Penn State New Kensington Regina Vasilatos-Younken, Interim Dean of the Graduate School Craig D. Weidemann, Vice President for Outreach and Vice Provost for Online Education Susan Welch, Dean, College of the Liberal Arts Marcus A. Whitehurst, Interim Vice Provost for Educational Equity Charles H. Whiteman, Dean, Smeal College of Business Ann M. Williams, Chancellor, Penn State Lehigh Valley Kristin R. Woolever, Chancellor, Penn State Brandywine

Members of the University Faculty Senate’s Advisory Committee (unanimous)

Mohamad A. Ansari, Penn State Berks, Chair Elect, University Faculty Senate Thomas O. Beebee, Member, Faculty Advisory Committee to the President Ellen A. Knodt, Penn State Abington, Member, Faculty Advisory Committee to the President Jonna M. Kulikowich, Chair, University Faculty Senate

Chester A. Ray, Penn State Hershey, Member, Faculty Advisory Committee to the President James A. Strauss, Secretary, University Faculty Senate Brenton M. Yarnal, Immediate Past Chair of the University Faculty Senate

University Staff Advisory Council Executive Officers (unanimous)

Jeremy Warner, Security and Facility Manager, Palmer Museum of Art, Chair Jennifer C. Blew, Administrative Support Assistant, Schreyer Honors College, Co-Chair-elect Devon Marie Mower, Residence Life Coordinator, Co-Chair-elect Susan A. Johnson, Manager of Planning and Operations, Liberal Arts, Secretary

Susan A. Johnson, Manager of Planning and Operations, Liberal Arts, Secretary Madhavi Kari, Cocurriculum Programs Manager, Information Sciences and Technology, Secretary-elect Pauline M. McCarl, Administrative Support Coordinator, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Past Secretary

Student leadership (unanimous)

Anand R. Ganjam, President, University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) John Shaffer, President, Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG),

Danielle C. Rhubart, President, Graduate and Professional

 

Want to discuss the matter civilly? Let’s discuss…